National Republicans
Bush and Webb
In his State of the Union Speech, President Bush laid out his vision of the war on terrorism, saying Islamic Radicalism is an ideology – much like Communism and Nazism were ideologies in their times, opposing everything we stand for and determined to destroy us. Democratic Senator Jim Webb, in his rebuttal, did not differ…
Read MoreState of the Lame Duck
Beaten in Iraq and beaten at the polls, President Bush looked beaten in his speech last night. His Iraq policy is such a disaster – eight Republican Senators, including Virginia’s John Warner, have cut and run – that he was forced to talk about domestic issues. And his tepid speech served up tepid ideas. I’m…
Read MoreWhy Shouldn’t Congress Vote Now on the War?
The Democratic leaders in Congress – such as Speaker Pelosi – made it clear during the election they believe President Bush is sacrificing the lives of young men in Iraq for no good purpose. So it comes as a shock when President Bush asserted he can send more troops to Iraq without Congress’ approval, by…
Read MoreMaking War on Ideology
President Bush said on “60 Minutes” Sunday night that Americans must understand “we’re in an ideological struggle.” That’s precisely the problem, Mr. President. We understand that. We Americans will fight a war for our national interests and survival. That’s why we fought the Nazis and the Japanese. That’s why we fought the Cold War. That’s…
Read MoreA Second No to a “Surge”?
President Bush goes on TV tonight to discuss Iraq. The Democrats in Congress, who oppose President Bushâs âsurgeâ just got some help form unexpected quarters: Iraqâs Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki. Malikiâs spokesman told the press that when âPresident Bush told the prime minister he was ready to send additional troopsâ instead of saying, âYes.…
Read MoreA “Surge” versus a “Bump”
President Bush’s much heralded ‘surge’ in Iraq has withered down to a ‘bump.’ Instead of sending forty-thousand more soldiers to Baghdad, according to the State Department we’re planning to send fifteen or twenty-thousand. Three or four combat brigades. Why not three or four divisions? If sending more soldiers to Iraq is valid logic, why not…
Read MoreA New Direction: Home
“A new direction” is the Bush Administration’s latest grasp for an Iraq message. But there are only two directions: In deeper Or out. And Bush is headed the wrong way. To comment, send us an email to comment@talkingaboutpolitics.com.
Read MoreEdwards
John Edwards’ presidential announcement last week demonstrated why it’s better to be lucky than smart in politics. The Edwards team had a good strategy: a two-day made-for-TV announcement in New Orleans. And what seemed like good timing: the news-dead week between Christmas and New Year’s. Then Gerald Ford died. And Sadaam Hussein was hanged. And…
Read MoreNix to Syria, Iran
I was dead wrong about the Iraq Study Group. I said the fix was in because Jim Baker was leading the study. I thought the President would wrap his arms around Baker’s proposal and use it for a fig-leaf to get us out of Iraq in short order. Instead the President looked Baker (and company)…
Read MoreGerald Ford
Gerald Ford proved that a leader’s character can be more important than brains. Right after Richard Nixon proved that brains without character can be dangerous. The TV coverage I’ve seen rightly emphasized Ford’s role as a healer after Watergate. Lord knows, the nation needed it. But a fuller picture needs to be drawn: Even I…
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